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The Cycle of Disobedience: Judges 3 – 2025 Day 268

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 56, Judges 3

“And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.

Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.

But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.”

Judges 3:7-9 ESV

My weight has fluctuated by twenty or so pounds for the past two decades. Gradually, I put on weight, filling my plate with more calories than I can burn and indulging in too many sweets. Then, finally, one day, I look down at the scale and think, “What happened?!?”  In the years leading up to that epiphany, there were plenty of signs: aches, pains, bloating, not sleeping well, in addition to the obvious problem of not fitting into my clothes. And yet, I kept going down that road until suddenly, one day, the realization that things had gone too far. Twenty pounds? I’ve got to do something!

I see this same phenomenon in our own Christian life. One day we’re tired, sick, or busy, so we skip reading the Bible that day. A few days later, we have another crazy day, and we miss our time with the Lord again. After a few weeks or months of that, we finally awake to the fact that we’ve abandoned our times of communing with Him already.

The Israelites had wandered away from God. In His mercy, He was bringing them back … Through the pain of slavery, followed by the joy of deliverance.

Have you wandered away? Have you seen the Lord’s hand of discipline on your life? Are you ready to return to Him? He’s calling you. He’s already sent a deliverer, and His Name is Jesus. Come back to Him. His arms are open wide.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Jesus, our Great Deliverer. I pray that our nation would return to You, that we would remember the heights from which we have fallen and cry out to You, TODAY. Forgive us, Father, for we have wandered away from You, the One True God. We have chosen to serve gods of our own making, God’s made by human minds and human hands. Forgive us, Father. Save us, please! Deliver us! Turn our hearts and minds back to You! We need You! It is in the matchless, Almighty Name of Jesus that we bring these requests to You. Amen.

A New Generation – Judges 2 – 2025 Day 267

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 55, Judges 2

On October 1, 2023, my youngest son was baptized. Watching him commit his life to Jesus Christ is a joy like no other.

I have found such peace, comfort, and hope in knowing the Lord. I believe His Word that eternal life is only available to those who trust in Christ and that eternal damnation awaits those who reject Him. It absolutely breaks my heart into a million pieces to think that any of my children or grandchildren might abandon the Lord and wander away after other gods.

I believe that I have done my best through many ups and downs to be faithful to the Lord in shepherding and discipling my children, but ultimately their faith must be their own. I can’t force anyone to believe, but I can pray – and so can you – for God to open their eyes, that they might receive Him by faith.

Heavenly Father, I pray that my children and grandchildren and the generations not yet born will come to You by faith. Let them not wander away after other gods and turn their backs on You, the One True God. I pray that this generation will walk day by day in obedience, trusting in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Send out a mighty army of Christ-followers to share this good news to the ends of the earth! In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

City Alight – Rise with the Sun
Teach What is Good

Inquiring of the Lord – Judges 1 – 2025 Day 266

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 54, Judges 1

After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD,
“Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?”

Judges 1:1 ESV

It is hard for me to go to God when I need direction. I’m much more likely to go to Google or a friend for guidance. I’m trying to learn to ask the Lord and then listen carefully for His answer. He has given me His Holy Spirit to be my counselor and guide. I want to trust, obey, and follow Him … but sometimes I’m running so fast that I’ve already made the decision before I’ve even inquired. Am I the only one? Do you struggle with this, too? 🙋‍♀️

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

James 1:5 ESV

Heavenly Father, I want to follow You, but it’s hard because I’m moving too fast. I’m running out front, asking for Your wisdom after I’ve already started the race. Please forgive me, Father. Help me to inquire of You first and to wait for Your wisdom before I start running. Thank You for Your mercy. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Waiting and Watching – 2025 Day 265

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 53

Our huge lab-poodle-aussie, Kylo, absolutely adores my younger daughter. He will sit and wait for her, watching where she went. It’s so sweet.

Are we waiting and watching like that? Do we have that kind of love? That kind of faith?

Lord Jesus, help me to watch for You, trusting You and waiting expectantly for Your return!

Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. Proverbs 8:34 ESV

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Luke 12:35-36 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. 2 Peter 3:11-15 ESV

  Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 ESV

Aiming for Restoration – 2 Corinthians 13 – 2025 Day 264

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 52, 2 Corinthians 13

My heart breaks with Paul as he closes this letter. I know what it’s like to desire reconciliation and harmony with people who keep going back to their sin. It’s hard to stand by and watch as people continue to turn their backs on the goodness of God’s grace. But, ultimately, we aren’t in charge. We speak words of grace and truth, and we pray, and leave the results up to God.

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 ESV

Heavenly Father, I trust you in the good things and in the hard things. I know that often the hard things are the good things. Please encourage my heart so that I can encourage others. I pray for unity in the body of Christ. And I pray that the body of Christ would be a holy, separate people, unstained by the world. I pray that your children would be faithful to exhort their brothers and sisters to love and good deeds and to share the good news with the lost. Conform us to the image of your Son, Jesus Christ. May we be humble and kind and gentle and bold and courageous. In His Name I pray. Amen.

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Thorn in the Flesh – 2 Corinthians 12 – 2025 Day 263

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 12

There are so many things that I used to be anxious about, especially the fear of death. I worried about fires, robbers, car accidents, and plane crashes. I am so thankful for God’s grace in freeing me from this fear. When I flew home from visiting my daughter, I was able to lay my hand on the shoulder of the woman sitting next to me, praying silently for her as she coped with her fear of flying by zoning out, watching videos on her phone.

Yet, I still struggle with fears of physical illness, infirmity, or pain. Death is no longer the enemy, but pain??? Nope. Don’t want it.

But that is exactly what God knows I need to keep me humble. A broken foot, a hurting elbow, a sore back, a horrendous allergic reaction to poison ivy, these things keep me dependent on the Lord. They push me to pray and to ask others to pray, too.

Is there a thorn that the Lord has graciously given you to keep you humble? Rather than being angry with Him, thank Him.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for all of Your grace. I see Your grace in the thorns and Your grace in the roses. Help me to give thanks in all circumstances. Help me to fix my eyes – and my mind – on You. Help me to walk by faith and not by fear. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Be Still my Soul – Selah

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Boasting only in the Lord: My One80 Experience – 2 Corinthians 10-11 – 2025 Day 262

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 50, 2 Corinthians 10-11

My life has gone from fearful to faithful and from boasting in myself to boasting in the Lord. As a result of being born again, I finally realize, like Paul in 2 Corinthians, that all my pride in my own accomplishments is for nothing.

Let the one who boasts,
boast in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:17 ESV

In my own flesh, I am selfish and proud. Left to myself, I want for my own praise and glory. It is only in Christ that I genuinely desire the good of another.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

2 Corinthians 11:30 ESV

It is with great fear and trepidation that I share about my own successes because I don’t want people to look at my life and see ME. I want you to look at my life and see what CHRIST has done. All glory and honor belong to Him. It is He who began a good work in me, and it is He who will be faithful to complete it.

I’m honored to have been interviewed for the One80 podcast. One80 features all different types of people who have experienced a 180° change in their lives as a result of meeting Jesus Christ. And by God’s grace, they stumbled upon my book and asked me to share my testimony with their listeners. I hope you will take a listen and subscribe to hear more testimonies of God’s power and mercy. You can find them on Spotify, on their website, or on whatever podcast player you prefer.

Heavenly Father, You are the All-Worthy God, the Creator and Sustainer of life, the Giver of every good gift. Help us all to make our boast in You and You alone. Keep us from boasting in our own strength and remind us that our testimony and our talents belong to You. We pray that You will draw many into Your kingdom through Your Word and Your children. In the Name of Jesus Christ who died that we might have life. Amen.

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

Psalm 34:1-3 ESV

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV

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Genuine Generosity – 2 Corinthians 8-9 – 2025 Day 261

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 49, 2 Corinthians 8-9

Have you ever thought about the idea that true love cannot be forced?

I can make my kids do lots of stuff. Sometimes all I have to do is ask, but sometimes my request needs more incentives, maybe offering a reward (or a punishment) for compliance.

  • “Sweetheart, would you please go empty the dishwasher?”
  • “Honey, please go clean your bedroom?”
  • “After you finish mowing the lawn, I’m going to take you out for ice cream.”
  • “If you don’t get all your schoolwork finished by 4 o’clock, there will be no media for the rest of the day. Get going!”

But, does love work that way? Can I compel my children to love something … or someone? I may be able to force some kind actions, but genuine love from the heart, by definition, requires a person to freely and willingly give of themselves.

Likewise, genuine generosity can never be forced. If your parents, your pastor, or your government demands that you share your stuff with someone else, then you are no longer being generous.

Part of what makes the Macedonian churches’ generosity in 2 Corinthians 8 so remarkable is that they were giving generously “beyond their means, of their own accord.” (2 Corinthians 8:3) I want to be more like that. I want to give generously, willingly, and cheerfully, of my time, treasures, talents, and testimony, in both my abundance and my lack.

Heavenly Father, You delight in a cheerful giver. Help me to give sacrificially and cheerfully. Help me to give freely, rather than under compulsion. Help me to be generous with my time as well as my money. Help me to remember how much You have given to me, that there is nothing I have that I have not been given. Make me more like Jesus and less like the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Want more? Listen to this great sermon, “Generosity & Grace” by Austin Cox at Collierville Bible Church. 

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I Will Carry You – 2025 Day 260

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 2 Corinthians 8, Psalm 48

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2 ESV

27 years ago, September 15, 1998, our son, Tommy, was born sleeping. Today, in his memory, I began sponsoring a student in my area to attend LifeWise classes. If my online ministry has blessed you, will you join me in sponsoring a student, too?

LifeWise Academy

May you be blessed by Angie Smith’s words as she relates her experience of continuing her pregnancy with Audrey Caroline after being told that her condition was “incompatible with life.” Listen to three “Revive our Hearts” podcast episodes HERE with Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth, or listen to them on YouTube:

Band-Aids on a Heart: I Will Carry You, Episode 1 – Revive our Hearts (Nancy Leigh deMoss Wolgemuth)
Two-and-a-Half Peaceful Hours: I Will Carry You, Episode 2 – Revive our Hearts (Nancy Leigh deMoss Wolgemuth)
God Will Carry You: I Will Carry You, Episode 3 – Revive our Hearts (Nancy Leigh deMoss Wolgemuth)
“I Will Carry You” – Selah – Angie and Todd Smith’s daughter, Audrey Caroline

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Grief – 2 Corinthians 7 – 2025 Day 259

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 47, 2 Corinthians 7

October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day, a day set apart each year to remember those babies that have gone from our arms too soon.

In God’s providence, unaware of this date (or had it just not been established yet?) I had planned my own baby’s memorial service for October 15, 1998, because it was the one-month anniversary of his passing. In today’s reading in 2 Corinthians 7, I was struck by verse 10.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

The greatest times of growth in my life have always come on the heels of the greatest griefs. Sometimes that grief has taken the form of physical and emotional pain – losing a baby, marriage and parenting struggles, and financial hardships. Sometimes that grief has taken the form of spiritual pain, the result of grieving over my own past or present sin.

And yet, it is quite possible for that very same grief to turn us away from God rather than toward Him. The loss of a baby, the infidelity of a spouse, a wayward child, the recognition of our own sin, all of these things can drive us to doubt God’s presence or goodness.

This, I believe, is one result of what Paul here calls “worldly grief,” grief turned inward rather than heavenward. We think God must not care for us if He has allowed such pain to enter our lives, forgetting the profound wisdom of a mother who chastens her child for his good.

Do you find yourself today in the midst of an unending sea of grief? Cry out to God. Ask Him to rescue you by the mercies of His Son, Jesus, who came to Earth to seek and save the lost, who surrendered His own life that you might have the gift of eternal life.

Heavenly Father, I lift up the person reading this post. I pray that You will draw them into Your loving arms. I pray that You will chasten them like a wayward lamb, that they will come running through the narrow gate of Christ and find safety in the fold of forgiveness. You are so good. I am so thankful for Your righteous judgment and Your boundless mercy. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Good Shepherd and King, I pray. Amen.

Blessings – Laura Story

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